Automobile driving assistance device

Abstract

To propose a driving assist system allowing a driver to recognize the progress in learning the driver's driving preference on each of learning items.SOLUTION: A driving assist system 10 of an automobile includes: means that detects an automobile driving operation performed by a driver of the automobile, and learns the driver's driving preference on each of plural learning items; means that executes driving assist control of assisting the driver in performing a driving operation on the automobile according to the driver's driving preference; means that calculates the progress in learning the driver's driving preference on each of the learning items on the basis of the number of detected automobile driving operations performed by the driver of the automobile in relation to each of the learning items; and means that notifies the driver of the progress in learning the driver's driving preference on each of the learning items or displays the progress.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving support device for an automobile.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the practical application of research and development on driving support control for assisting the driving operation of an automobile by a driver has been promoted. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle control system that supports the driving operation of an automobile based on the driving skills and driving preferences of the driver. In this vehicle control system, driver information including information such as the driving skills and driving preferences of the driver is pre-recorded rewritably on an IC card combined with a driver's license. Then, when the driver starts driving, this driver information is read from the IC card into the vehicle control system, and driving support control for the automobile based on the driver information is performed. For example, for a driver with low driving skills, driving support control considering safety is performed to prevent traffic accidents that may occur due to inexperienced driving. Also, for a driver with high driving skills, driving support control that matches the driving preferences of the driver is performed, and the expectations of the driver can be satisfied.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to accurately perform driving support control that matches the driving preferences of the driver, it is necessary to complete the learning of the driving preferences of the driver for each of a plurality of different learning items. For each learning item, in order to complete the learning of the driving preferences of the driver, it is necessary to detect the required number of times of the driving operation of the automobile by the driver in each learning item. Detecting the required number of times of the driving operation of the automobile by the driver in each learning item requires a certain period of time.

[0005] However, since the conventional vehicle control system is not configured to enable the driver to recognize the progress of learning the driving preferences in each learning item, the driver cannot grasp how many times of driving operations are required to complete the learning of the driving preferences. Until the learning of the driving preferences is completed, since the driving support control matching the driver's driving preferences may not be accurately performed, the driver may feel a sense of discomfort with such driving support control, or may feel a sense of unease about the fact that the driving support control is not functioning properly.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such a problem and propose a driving support device that enables the driver to recognize the progress of learning the driving preferences in each learning item.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a driving support device for an automobile according to the present invention includes means for learning the driving preferences of a driver for each of a plurality of learning items by detecting the driving operation of the automobile by the driver of the automobile, means for executing driving support control for supporting the driving operation of the automobile by the driver according to the driving preferences of the driver, means for calculating the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item based on the number of detections of the driving operation of the automobile by the driver of the automobile in each learning item, and means for For each learning item notifying or displaying the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item to the driver.

[0008] By displaying the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item, the driver can grasp which learning item among the plurality of learning items is lacking in learning. Thereby, it is possible to wipe out the driver's sense of unease caused by the fact that the driving support control matching the driver's driving preferences is not accurately performed due to the lack of learning of a specific learning item.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible for a driver to recognize the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle driving support device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving support device 10 includes various electronic control units (inter-vehicle control ECU 21, navigation ECU 22, engine control ECU 23, and brake control ECU 24) called an ECU (Electrical Control Unit), a laser radar sensor 30, a reading / writing device 41, a display device 51, an audio output device 52, and an in-vehicle communication network 60. The ECU is a computer system composed of electronic circuits such as an input / output interface, a processor, and a memory.

[0013] The inter-vehicle control ECU 21 is a computer system dedicated to inter-vehicle control. The inter-vehicle control ECU 21 receives a vehicle speed signal, a throttle opening signal, and various control state signals (for example, control state signals indicating an idle control state, a shift position of a transmission, etc.) from the engine control ECU 23, and receives a steering angle signal, a yaw rate signal, etc. from the brake control ECU 24. The inter-vehicle control ECU 21 calculates the radius of curvature of a road curve or executes an inter-vehicle control operation based on these various received signals.

[0014] The laser radar sensor 30 is an electronic circuit including a laser scanning rangefinder and a microcomputer. The laser radar sensor 30 calculates the probability that the preceding vehicle exists in the host vehicle lane based on the angle and relative speed of the preceding vehicle detected by the scanning rangefinder, the vehicle speed signal received from the inter-vehicle control ECU 21, the radius of curvature of the road curve, etc., and transmits preceding vehicle information including information on the probability of the host vehicle lane and information such as the relative speed of the preceding vehicle to the inter-vehicle control ECU 21.

[0015] Based on the probability of the host vehicle lane included in the preceding vehicle information received from the laser radar sensor 30, etc., the inter-vehicle control ECU 21 determines the preceding vehicle for which the inter-vehicle distance should be controlled, and transmits a target acceleration signal, a fuel cut request signal, etc. to the engine control ECU 23 as a control command value for appropriately adjusting the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle, and transmits a brake request signal to the brake control ECU 24.

[0016] The brake control ECU 24 is a computer system dedicated to brake control. The brake control ECU 24 calculates information on the steering angle and yaw rate from the signals output from a steering sensor that detects the steering angle of the vehicle, a yaw rate sensor that detects the yaw rate, and wheel speed sensors that detect the speeds of the respective wheels, and transmits this information to the inter-vehicle control ECU 21 and the engine control ECU 23. Further, in order to control the braking force in response to the brake request signal output from the inter-vehicle control ECU 21, the brake control ECU 24 controls a brake actuator that duty-controls the opening and closing of a pressure increasing control valve and a pressure decreasing control valve provided in the brake hydraulic circuit.

[0017] The engine control ECU 23 is a computer system dedicated to engine control. The engine control ECU 23 receives the signals output from a throttle opening sensor that detects the throttle opening, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed, a brake switch that detects the presence or absence of depression of the brake, and other sensors and switches, and also receives a target acceleration signal and a fuel cut request signal, etc. output from the inter-vehicle control ECU 21. Based on these various received signals, the engine control ECU 23 outputs drive commands to a throttle actuator that adjusts the throttle opening of the internal combustion engine, an injector that controls fuel injection to the internal combustion engine, and a transmission that controls the shifting of the vehicle.

[0018] The navigation ECU 22 is a computer system dedicated to navigation. The navigation ECU 22 is connected to a position detection device such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a map data storage device, selects an optimal travel route to the destination input by the driver by a method such as Dijkstra's method, and causes a navigation display device to display the selected travel route and the current position of the own vehicle. The navigation ECU 22 generates each control signal for target acceleration regulation control based on the signal output from the position detection device, the preceding vehicle information output from the laser radar sensor 30, and the signal indicating the operating state of the turn signal, and transmits each of these control signals to the inter-vehicle control ECU 21.

[0019] The reading / writing device 41 reads driver information from the IC card 42 and transmits the read driver information to the inter-vehicle control ECU 21 via the in-vehicle communication network 60.

[0020] Driver information means information unique to the driver used to perform driving support control of the vehicle that matches the driving preferences of the driver (driver). For example, it includes driving history information indicating the driving operation tendencies of the driver in each of a plurality of different learning items. For example, driving history information indicating the driving speed, acceleration, deceleration, inter-vehicle distance, etc. of the vehicle by the driver's manual operation that changes according to various driving environments such as road type, driving area, or weather can be used as information reflecting the driver's driving preferences. In addition to the driving history information indicating the driving operation tendencies of the driver, the driver information may further include information such as the driver's driving history (date of obtaining the driving license), age, gender, residential area, or driving skills (e.g., traffic law violation history, traffic accident history).

[0021] In the memory in the inter-vehicle control ECU 21, vehicle control information for performing vehicle control corresponding to the driver information is stored. This vehicle control information is control information for performing vehicle control according to various driving environments based on the driving history information and information indicating driving skills included in the driver information.

[0022] For example, as vehicle control information corresponding to the driver information of a driver with inexperienced driving skills, various setting information for setting the inter-vehicle distance to be larger than the normal distance, setting the acceleration to be slower, setting the rise of the deceleration to be stronger, or setting the upper speed limit to be less than the legal speed is pre-stored in the memory in the inter-vehicle control ECU 21.

[0023] For example, as vehicle control information corresponding to driver information of a driver with high driving skills, various setting information for setting the inter-vehicle distance to about the normal distance, setting the acceleration to a stronger level, setting the rise of the deceleration to a weaker level, or setting the upper limit vehicle speed near the legal speed is stored in advance in the memory within the inter-vehicle control ECU 21.

[0024] When the inter-vehicle control ECU 21 receives driver information from the read / write device 41, it reads the vehicle control information corresponding to this driver information from the memory within the inter-vehicle control ECU 21, and executes inter-vehicle control processing according to the read vehicle control information.

[0025] The inter-vehicle control ECU 21 learns the driving preferences of the driver from the driving history information for each of a plurality of learning items by detecting the driving operation of the vehicle by the driver of the vehicle. Examples of the learning items include, for example, the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle when driving following the preceding vehicle, the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle when stopped, the acceleration timing, and the deceleration timing.

[0026] The inter-vehicle control ECU 21 calculates the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item based on the number of detections of the driving operation of the vehicle by the driver of the vehicle in each learning item. For example, if the number of detections of the driving operation required to complete the learning of the driving preferences for a certain learning item is N1, and the number of detections of the driving operation at a certain learning stage for that learning item is N2, then the progress of learning at that learning stage of that learning item can be calculated as N2 / N1×100 (%).

[0027] The display device 51 displays the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item. The display device 51 may be, for example, a head-up display of the vehicle, a multimedia display, or an information display of the meters.

[0028] The voice output device 52 notifies the driver of the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item by voice. The voice output device 52 may be, for example, an audio device or a speaker of an automobile.

[0029] When new driving history information is obtained through the running of the automobile, the read / write device 41 updates the driving history information recorded on the IC card 42 by writing the new driving history information to the IC card 42. The timing for updating the driving history information recorded on the IC card 42 may be, for example, immediately before the IC card 42 is removed from the read / write device 41.

[0030] Note that the IC card 42 is preferably a card medium that also serves as a driver's license. Since the driver is legally obliged to carry the driver's license, the driver will carry this IC card 42 when driving an automobile. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the driver from forgetting the IC card 42 when driving an automobile. In addition, since this IC card 42 also serves as a driver's license, there is no problem such as being troublesome to carry.

[0031] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the flow of control processing of the automobile will be described. FIG. 2 shows the flow of processing executed by the read / write device 41, and FIG. 3 shows the flow of processing executed by the inter-vehicle control ECU 21.

[0032] When the IC card 42 is inserted into the read / write device 41 (step 201 in FIG. 2; YES), the read / write device 41 reads the driver information from the IC card 42 (step 202 in FIG. 2), and transmits the read driver information to the inter-vehicle control ECU 21 via the in-vehicle communication network 60 (step 203 in FIG. 2).

[0033] When the in-vehicle control ECU 21 receives driver information (the driver information transmitted from the read / write device 41 in step 203 of FIG. 2) from the read / write device 41 via the in-vehicle communication network 60 (step 301 in FIG. 3; YES), it determines whether the inter-vehicle control (ACC) mode is activated by the driver's operation of the cruise main switch (step 302 in FIG. 3).

[0034] When the inter-vehicle control mode is activated (step 302 in FIG. 3; YES), the in-vehicle control ECU 21 reads vehicle control information corresponding to the driver information from the memory in the in-vehicle control ECU 21 (step 303 in FIG. 3). For example, when the driver information indicates that the driver's driving skills are immature based on the driving history and driving skills, etc., the in-vehicle control ECU 21 reads various setting information for setting the inter-vehicle distance larger than the normal distance, setting the acceleration to be slower, setting the rise of the deceleration to be stronger, or setting the upper limit vehicle speed to be less than the legal speed as the vehicle control information from the memory in the in-vehicle control ECU 21.

[0035] The in-vehicle control ECU 21 executes an inter-vehicle control calculation based on the vehicle control information (various setting information such as inter-vehicle distance, acceleration, deceleration, upper limit speed, etc.) and the information received from the laser radar sensor 30 (step 304 in FIG. 3).

[0036] The in-vehicle control ECU 21 transmits various control signals to the engine control ECU 23 and the brake control ECU 24 based on the result of the inter-vehicle control calculation, and causes the inter-vehicle control corresponding to the driver's driving preference and driving skills to be executed (step 305 in FIG. 3).

[0037] When the inter-vehicle control mode is not activated (step 302 in FIG. 3; NO), that is, when the driving of the vehicle is controlled by the driver's manual operation, the in-vehicle control ECU 21 collects driving history information indicating the driving speed, acceleration, deceleration, inter-vehicle distance, etc. of the vehicle by the driver's manual operation as information reflecting the driver's driving preference (step 306 in FIG. 3). The driving history information collected in this way is stored in the memory in the in-vehicle control ECU 21.

[0038] The in-vehicle control ECU 21 determines whether or not the operation of the vehicle has ended (step 307 in FIG. 3). For example, when the ignition switch is switched from on to off, the in-vehicle control ECU 21 determines that the operation of the vehicle has ended.

[0039] When the operation of the vehicle has not ended (step 307 in FIG. 3; NO), the in-vehicle control ECU 21 returns to the process of step 302.

[0040] When the operation of the vehicle has ended (step 307 in FIG. 3; YES), the in-vehicle control ECU 21 transmits driver information including driving history information stored in the memory within the in-vehicle control ECU 21 to the read / write device 41 via the in-vehicle communication network 60 (step 308 in FIG. 3).

[0041] The in-vehicle control ECU 21 calculates the progress of learning the driving preferences of the vehicle driver in each learning item based on the number of detections of the vehicle driving operation by the vehicle driver in each learning item (step 309 in FIG. 3).

[0042] The in-vehicle control ECU 21 outputs information indicating the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item to the display device 51 or the voice output device 52 (step 310 in FIG. 3). The display device 51 displays the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item in response to a command from the in-vehicle control ECU 21. The voice output device 52 notifies the driver of the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item by voice in response to a command from the in-vehicle control ECU 21. Note that the in-vehicle control ECU 21 may output a command to display or notify the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item to either one of the display device 51 and the voice output device 52, and it is not always necessary to output a command to display or notify the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item to both of them.

[0043] The read / write device 41 determines whether it has received driver information (the driver information transmitted from the inter-vehicle control ECU 21 in step 308 of FIG. 3) from the inter-vehicle control ECU 21 via the in-vehicle communication network 60 (step 204 of FIG. 2).

[0044] The read / write device 41 determines whether the driving history information included in the driver information has been updated (step 205 of FIG. 2). Whether the driving history information included in the driver information has been updated is determined based on whether new driving history information is included in the driver information.

[0045] When the driving history information included in the driver information has been updated (step 205 of FIG. 2; YES), the read / write device 41 updates the driving history information included in the driver information recorded on the IC card 42 by writing the new driving history information to the IC card 42 (step 206 of FIG. 2).

[0046] When the driving history information included in the driver information has not been updated (step 205 of FIG. 2; NO), or when the update process (step 206 of FIG. 2) of the driving history information included in the driver information recorded on the IC card 42 is completed, the processing of the read / write device 41 ends.

[0047] In this way, by updating the driving history information included in the driver information recorded on the IC card 42, it is possible to accurately perform driving support control that matches the driving preferences of the driver.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen 60 that displays the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item. This screen 60 is displayed by the display device 51. In this example, the progress of learning the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle when following the preceding vehicle is 82%, the progress of learning the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle when stopped is 100%, the progress of learning the acceleration timing is 36%, and the progress of learning the deceleration timing is 60%.

[0049] By displaying the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item, the driver can grasp which learning item among the plurality of learning items is lacking in learning. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the driver's sense of unease caused by the fact that the driving support control that matches the driver's driving preferences is not accurately performed due to the lack of learning of a specific learning item. In addition, the driver can perform the driving operation of the vehicle while taking into consideration that the learning of the specific learning item lacking in learning is completed quickly. As a result, it is possible to complete the learning of all learning items at an early stage and to accurately perform the driving support control that matches the driver's driving preferences at an early stage.

[0050] Note that the inter-vehicle control ECU 21 functions as means for learning the driving preferences of the driver for each of the plurality of learning items by detecting the driving operation of the vehicle by the driver of the vehicle, and calculating the progress of learning the driving preferences of the driver in each learning item based on the number of detections of the driving operation of the vehicle by the driver of the vehicle in each learning item.

[0051] The various electronic control units (inter-vehicle control ECU 21, navigation ECU 22, engine control ECU 23, and brake control ECU 24) function as means for executing driving support control for supporting the driving operation of the vehicle by the driver according to the driving preferences of the driver.

[0052] In the above example, a configuration using an internal combustion engine as the power source of the vehicle is illustrated, but a configuration in which an internal combustion engine and an electric motor are used in combination may also be used, or a configuration in which an electric motor is used instead of the internal combustion engine may also be used.

[0053] In a configuration in which an internal combustion engine and an electric motor are used in combination as the power source of the vehicle, the inter-vehicle control ECU 21, navigation ECU 22, engine control ECU 23, brake control ECU 24, and the ECU that controls the electric motor function as means for executing driving support control for supporting the driving operation of the vehicle by the driver according to the driving preferences of the driver.

[0054] In a configuration where an electric motor is used as a power source for an automobile instead of an internal combustion engine, an inter-vehicle control ECU 21, a navigation ECU 22, a brake control ECU 24, and an ECU that controls the electric motor function as means for executing driving support control for assisting a driving operation of the automobile by the driver according to the driving preference of the driver.

[0055] The display device 51 functions as means for displaying the progress of learning of the driving preference of the driver in each learning item.

[0056] The voice output device 52 functions as means for notifying the driver of the progress of learning of the driving preference of the driver in each learning item. The means for notifying the driver of the progress of learning of the driving preference of the driver in each learning item is not limited to the voice output device. For example, it may be a wireless communication device that transmits information indicating the progress of learning of the driving preference of the driver in each learning item to a portable terminal device (for example, a multifunctional telephone called a smartphone or a tablet terminal) carried by the driver. In this case, the driver can confirm the information indicating the progress of learning of the driving preference of the driver in each learning item from the portable terminal device.

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention are for facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can be changed or improved without departing from its gist, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same components, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0058] 10… Driving support device 21… Inter-vehicle control ECU 22… Navigation ECU 23… Engine control ECU 24… Brake control ECU 30… Laser radar sensor 41… Read / write device 42… IC card 51… Display device 52… Voice output device 60… In-vehicle communication network

Claims

**Claim 1** A driving support device for an automobile, means for learning the driving preference of the driver for each of a plurality of learning items by detecting the driving operation of the automobile by the driver of the automobile; means for executing driving support control for supporting the driving operation of the automobile by the driver according to the driving preference of the driver; means for calculating the progress of learning of the driving preference of the driver in each learning item based on the number of detections of the driving operation of the automobile by the driver of the automobile in each learning item; means for notifying or displaying to the driver the progress of learning of the driving preference of the driver in each learning item for each learning item; A driving support device comprising the above.

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